Abiy Ahmed elected as chairman of Ethiopia's ruling coalition

Ethiopia's ruling coalition Tuesday elected Abiy Ahmed as its new chairman, according to state media.

The announcement by state broadcaster FANA means that Ahmed, who hails from the Oromo ethnic group, is now expected to succeed Hailemariam Desalegn as Ethiopia's prime minister.

The chairman of the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition has historically also taken on prime minister duties.

The EPRDF and its allies control all 547 seats in Ethiopia's parliament, which must confirm the new prime minister.

Ruling coalition

In a surprise move on February 15, Hailemariam announced that he was stepping down as both prime minister and chairman of the EPRDF.

He said at the time that he would be staying on as prime minister in a caretaker capacity, until the EPRDF named a successor.

Local news site Addis Standard reported on Tuesday that Ahmed garnered 108 out of 180 votes in a meeting by the EPRDF's Council, which comprises 45 members each from the four political parties that make up the coalition.